Route changes
 

See BA are juggling the fleet a bit, presumably with the spares from China.
Sao Paulo upgauge from 773 to 744, anyone know which layout that will be?

Boeing 747’s
 

I wonder, could coronavirus speed up the retirement of BA’s remaining 747 fleet?

Yes. But, I wasn’t allowed to use so few words in my reply !

In the weeks and months to come let’s not forget that BA kicked off when Flybe were offered state aid.
https://www.theguardian.com/business...-flybe-bailout

as things currently stand with the price of oil so low, all the 747 are bought and paid for BA will keep them running till the oil price recovers and they become uneconomical to run.

In February on a 744 return from CPT, the old girl went tech (an engine sensor that had become senseless) and we were delayed for 25 hours. That cost them a very considerable amount of hotac and €600 euros per pax.There were some 300+ pax on that flight - we were already boarded and doors closed. Then 90 mins delay as problem only found at start up. Then canx. BA paid up promptly but that is well over £160,000 in one hit before Hotac and crew costs. I know they have insurance against these things but that was a heavy price to pay for the old lady.

Incidentally, it made me wonder how many that voted for Brexit also voted to leave EU.261 :}

Its highly unlikely that EU261 paymrnts are insured. Its almost impossible thing to insure. A few products were available largely based on the average of the ladt 3 years cost plus a bit of profit for insurers. Pretty much no airline was interested for obvious reason.

Well KLM announced on Friday 13 March that they are bringing forward the retirement of their fleet of Boeing 747's due to the downturn in air travel. They are being withdrawn from service and will be phased out by the end of March 2020. KLM initially planned to keep the Boeing 747 in their fleet through to 2021.

I wouldn't guarantee that British Airways will keep their fleet of Boeing 747's in service for longer than was originally planned regardless of the fact that they are fully paid for.

They might be bought and paid for but they are definitely not economical to run compared to newer twin engined aircraft in their fleet.

With the USA banning all flights from Europe including the UK British Airways will be particularly hard hit and the fact that they use the Boeing 747 primarily to the USA I can't see the airline keeping them in service for much longer especially with the sharp decrease in air travel.

I hate to say it but I think that the days of the British Airways Boeing 747 fleet are numbered and they will over sooner than many expected.

Expect an announcement by British Airways very soon confirming it similar to that of KLM.

I've yet to see the British Airways BOAC "retro" B747, I need to see that before it's too late 😥

Staff meeting on Monday with management I understand where Mr Cruz plans will be revealed.

I agree that the 744s may be amongt the first to be laid up, particularly with such reduced head counts. I had very much hoped that our sector from CPT would be G-BYGC.

maybe not though because with current fuel rates these aircraft are paid for fully so just become a whole lot cheaper to operate

But where to?

G-CIVM is due to fly to St Athan later today. It was originally due for a C check but it was decided a mercy killing might make more sense!

I hate to say it but we have to face reality in these unprecedented times and I think that there will more to come in the next few weeks.

75% cut in flights. Walsh to carry on at IAG until things settle down.

Good luck everyone.

Sky News just reporting it’s 75% of US flights.

If the virus is brought under control over the summer (and that is a very big if) there could be an autumn rebound with people who have cancelled holidays or deferred quickly rebooking and airlines might be looking at reactivating stored aircraft. If it is not contained then they will never fly again. Having plans to cope with a range of outcomings will be another major problem for airline management.

See some of the BA Cityflyer Embraers are been flown to SEN and NWI over the weekend to be parked up.

Just had an email from British Airways to say my flight on 15th April to Los Angeles is operating as normally. But I can apply for a voucher if I don’t want to travel. I’m really confused nfused as the travel ban to USA takes us past this date. Or do they want people to accept vouchers and not refunds!

Would HAL be charging BA and others parking costs at Heathrow?